CWDI assessment session.
Three clients I'd not met before. As they were assigned minutes before the session started, I couldn't get them to fill in profiling forms beforehand so had to run with things.
Anyway my session was:
Sit at a table in the cafe and have a chat about where they are, where they want to be in a year, and what they hope to get out of this session.
Answers were already leading 6a-6c (depending on which person), get to leading 7a indoor and doing sport outdoors (one had seen soneone drop their rope at the top last time they'd been), and for this session iron out any kinks and gain confidence.
So started with pictionary on the wall. Then a top rope each where I could tell they were experienced but was able to tighten up a couple of things (stoppers not snug against the knot for one, and thumb not round rope when belaying for another).
Then a lead with safety rope each. Made me happy they were good, though was able to get the one who stood still to move in and out.
Then falling. Initially with me belaying then with them learning soft catches. They were impressed with themselves for doing it. When climbing up to fall each time, I had them exaggerating their movements and doing lots of locked off arms, balanced positions, etc. Refered back to pictionary.
Then we did how to do the top of a sport route, which they were particularly interested in. Discussion of fig-8 vs bowline naturally ensued.
Then lead climbing something evil in the 6a-6b+ range depending on the person, pushing them out of comfort zones which they got a good rush out of.
Discussion on what points they'd take back and pass on to others. They came up with moving when belaying and clipping positions. And they were definitely going outdoors to do more sport.
Clipping race along the line of quickdraws at ground level. Then future action - set up a low level clipping course, and go and fall off lots of routes.
Area :
Quay Climbing Centre
